Nicotiana Perfume F1 Mix - Ornamental tobacco

The 'Perfume F1 Ornamental Tobaccos' selection gathers several hybrid varieties of Nicotiana x sanderae with various colours, whose main characteristic is a very bushy habit, well-branched, resulting in the production of more numerous flowers during a long summer period. They are long, star-shaped trumpets in white, pink, mauve, violet or red, solid or variegated depending on the plants, open all day long and pleasantly scented in the evening. These annuals are magnificent in mixed borders, mass borders or in large pots on a patio.

The Nicotiana (x) sanderae belongs to the Solanaceae family. It is a hybrid obtained by cross-breeding Nicotiana alata and N. forgetiana. Its growth is quite slow, but it is very floriferous throughout its beautiful season and until the first frosts. Ornamental tobacco deserves to be known for the originality of its often highly scented flowers in the evening and for the pleasant touch of exoticism it brings to flower beds. Most tobacco species produce flowers that open in the late afternoon to diffuse their jasmine-like fragrance all night and close again in the morning with the appearance of the sun. Such plants are called vespertine. Some hybrids now offer daytime flowering and flowers in various colours.

The cultivars of the 'Perfume F1' selection form small bushy clumps in just a few weeks, reaching a height and width of 40 cm. Numerous branching stems ensure abundant flowering, in the form of long-tubed trumpets, ending with 5 petals arranged in a star shape, releasing 5 long stamens. The flowers, open during the day, measure 4-5cm (1.6 - 2 in) in length and are carried on short but sturdy racemose clusters, in somewhat loose bouquets. As for the leaves, they are often covered with a short glandular down that makes them sticky and tacky; they form rosettes measuring 30cm (11.8 in) in diameter.

Easy to grow, Nicotiana 'Perfume' thrives in full sun or light shade in a consistently moist but not overly wet, well-drained soil, sheltered from the wind. It tolerates summer drought quite well. It will be magnificent in mixed borders, the edges of beds, or in large pots on the terrace or balcony. Ornamental tobaccos are unmatched in a scented garden accompanied by the four o'clock flower Mirabilis jalapa, the Datura meteloides, the spider flower Cleome Colour Fountain or the evening stock Matthiola bicornis, each playing its part in a scented symphony.

Did you know that the pollination method of Nicotiana is directly related to the nicotine content in the flowers? Research has shown that varieties with low nicotine levels need bees or butterflies to pollinate them, and the fragrance of the flowers is intended to attract them. But varieties with very high nicotine levels can be lethal to insects, thus they have found a way to self-pollinate without the need for insects.

Please note that our young plants in mini-plugs are professional products intended for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant and store them under shelter (veranda, greenhouse, frame) at a temperature above 14C° for a few weeks before planting outside once all risk of frost has passed.